Medical Device Navigation System Coordinate Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical device navigation systems face challenges in accurately tracking the position of medical devices within the body, especially when the medical imaging system is not integrated, leading to complex and time-consuming registration processes and potential interference between systems.
Innovation Solution
A medical device navigation system that includes a magnetic field generator assembly, device position sensors, and reference position sensors to determine the position of medical devices and imaging system components within a common coordinate system, allowing for accurate registration and detection of interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the medical imaging system is physically separate from the navigation system, then the systems can be used independently and flexibly, but the spatial relationship between systems becomes variable making registration more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
A coordinate transformation module acts as an intermediary between the imaging system and navigation system, converting coordinates from the imaging system's coordinate system to the navigation system's coordinate system through calibration data and transformation matrices, enabling accurate spatial relationship establishment without physical integration
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is designed to handle multiple coordinate systems and transformation types universally, supporting both integrated and separate imaging system configurations through a unified coordinate transformation framework that adapts to different system arrangements
2Measurement precision
If the imaging system is physically integrated with the navigation system, then the spatial relationship is constant and known, but the initial registration process is relatively time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration to establish transformation matrices between the imaging system and navigation system coordinate systems before actual navigation procedures, storing these transformation parameters for rapid reuse in subsequent procedures without requiring time-consuming re-registration
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual model of the patient's anatomy with embedded coordinate transformation data that can be rapidly loaded and applied in subsequent procedures, eliminating the need for repeated physical registration processes while maintaining spatial accuracy
3Measurement precision
If position sensors are attached to the medical device to track position, then the position can be monitored, but electromagnetic radiation from fluoroscopic imaging may interfere with the electrical or magnetic fields used by the navigation system
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electrical or magnetic field-based position sensing with optical tracking using cameras and reflective markers, eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from fluoroscopic imaging while maintaining precise device position tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
Optical markers and cameras serve as intermediaries between the medical device and the navigation system, allowing position tracking through optical fields that are not affected by the electromagnetic radiation from fluoroscopic imaging systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise tracking and navigation of medical devices within the body, reducing the need for complex registration processes and minimizing interference between systems, thereby improving procedural efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field generator assembly configured to generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The medical device includes a device position sensor configured to generate a device position signal responsive to a position of the device position sensor within the magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
The first and second reference position sensors generate first and second reference position signals, respectively, responsive to positions of the first and second reference position sensors within the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.